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Coming Out and Disclosure

Coming Out and Disclosure are lifelong processes about choosing whether you share your sexual and/or gender identity with important people in your life. Read on to find out more.

Coming Out vs. Inviting Others In vs. Disclosure

What’s the difference?

LGBTIQA+ people usually go through a long process of questioning and discovering their sexuality and gender identity before deciding if they want to share this with others. There are some different ways people might describe this process.

‘Coming Out’ is a saying that means someone has decided to openly share their sexuality or gender identity with others in their life. This saying became popular during early gay and lesbian liberation movements to encourage others to be proud of and share their identities as a way of countering shame and secrecy.

Some people don’t like this saying because they think it reinforces the belief that the LGBTIQA+ community needs the approval of the heterosexual and cisgender community for being different to them (for example, “Oh, you’ve finally decided to be honest with us!”).

‘Inviting Others In’ is another saying that means openly sharing one’s sexuality or gender identity, but implies more choice in how LGBTIQA+ people invite important people into their inner world as a gesture of love and trust. This is also seen as a way of being welcomed into the LGBTIQA+ community.

Some people don’t like this saying because they think it gives the impression that there is always choice and that others will always respond positively, which is not always the case.

Although similar, non-binary and Trans people’s experience of openly sharing their gender history or experience is better captured by the word ‘Disclosure’. Rather than sharing a concealed identity, their intention is to affirm an identity that is different to their assigned sex.

Some people think Disclosure is a more neutral way of talking about 'Coming Out' and/or 'Inviting Others In'.

Challenges to sharing your sexual or gender identity

Many people have positive experiences Disclosing when it is among people that are trustworthy and supportive.

Because hetero-cis-normative culture is considered to be the norm, many people in the LGBTIQA+ community are in situations where they may be Disclosing regularly.

Unfortunately, some people have negative experiences, like: feeling invalidated, being outed, major relationship conflicts and being discriminated against. For this reason, people in the LGBTIQA+ community are at a higher risk for developing mental health problems than others.

To help keep themselves safe, some LGBTIQA+ people may be open about their identity in some contexts but private in other contexts. Some people might not acknowledge parts of their identity publically, like introducing their non-heterosexual partner as a ‘friend’ or expressing non-binary gender in a more neutral way.

With the tireless efforts of LGBTIQA+ rights advocates and allies, more young people are growing up in communities supportive of their sexuality and gender identity. For some, this means that many have had experiences where they have not needed to Disclose because their identity has never been an issue.

No two situations of Inviting Others In or Disclosures are the same

Disclosure is something that people in the LGBTIQA+ community face in many unique ways. Usually more than once.

Even before they have Disclosed, some can experience anticipatory anxiety and grief about life changes and risks that may follow being open about their sexuality or gender.

People who identity as Asexual have a different experience of Disclosure to the rest of the LGBTIQA+ community, because of the misunderstanding that all people are sexual.

The reality of rejection and discrimination means that many people need to consider their level of independence, living arrangements, financial situation and the cultural attitudes of the community they live in before Inviting Others In or Disclosing their identity.

Discrimination is another issue for some people when Disclosing, even within the LGBTIQA+ community. For example, bisexual, non-binary, Trans and asexual people may be discriminated because of misunderstandings about their identities.

Some people may have to navigate multiple conflicting identities when considering whether they will Disclose. For example, people from diverse cultural backgrounds may experience racism within the straight and LGBTIQA+ community. Similarly, religious people may feel conflicted between their identity and their faith being a major source of support.

Some people may have to disclose both their sexual and gender identity with important people in their life.

Tips for Inviting Others In and Disclosing in a safer way

Disclosure doesn’t always go well.

Have a backup to make things more manageable eg. stay with a friend, have a sibling talk to parents and/or give details of your disclosure plan to a safe person who can support you.

Try not to feel pressured to Disclose.

It’s up to you how much information you want to share with other people. You also have the right to choose if or how you answer questions!

Disclosure is different for everyone.

Some people make a celebration of things by having a party or sharing the news on social media. Others just tell a couple of trusted people. It’s your choice!

Having support can make a big difference when Disclosing to less understanding people.

A trusted friend, teacher or counsellor can help you plan conversations, celebrate successes and provide support if things don’t go well.

Try to remember that while you’ve had a long time to understand your sexuality or gender, this is brand new to others and may be a surprise.

Shock and surprise don’t always mean disapproval. Try to be patient if someone needs time to process things or have questions that you feel OK answering.

It’s impossible to know for sure how someone will react to you Disclosing.

You can sometimes get an idea by testing their reaction to current LGBTIQA+ news or a made up situation involving a friend who has Invited you In.

Remember, you're not alone

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Important Information for Teachers

It can be helpful to have a discussion with your class prior to the session to get them thinking about the topic (not essential).

Encourage your class to make comments and ask questions - the session is not about right and wrong, it's a discussion where everyone's thoughts are valid. It's equally okay not to speak up during the session, as long as students are listening (we emphasise this point because some sensitive issues can come up and students may need to process these silently).

If you show enthusiasm and interest in the session, from our experience, your class will too.

Although the sessions are pre-written, we make them as interactive as possible and have the capacity to be quite responsive to students' interest/needs. There is room for students to ask questions or raise issues that are off the chosen topic (the counsellor will make sure all the necessary information is covered during the session).

Students are usually quite excited to participate in these sessions and engage very well.

However, if you notice that your class is not engaging well in the session, please feel free to signal this to the counsellor and intervene to settle the class, mediate or "translate" some of the ideas into language or examples that you know your class will respond to.

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